#WotWW Day 4: Readiness, or Red Reeds?

We kicked off our last day of Work on the Work Week by having breakfast with several members of the team at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. As the food and conversation wound down, John dashed off to take care of business related stuff and left the rest of the team to talk about 3 of our key internal business processes. We joked before he left about the ways in which the conversation would be different without him.

Theran provided excellent facilitation. He had a clear agenda. He balanced the right amount of direction and support. He gave us a starting place with each topic and then opened up the conversation, debate and dialogue. All the while, capturing next steps and salient points visually for all of us to see.

As I reflected upon the morning and why it felt like we “got so much done” the easy answer is, “the boss wasn’t there!” But there was another dynamic at play, we were ready to have the conversation. The topics included tasks, activities and communications that effect what we do everyday.  We were all invested in the topics.

In all honesty, we also knew that our day would end in the afternoon at Amuse! I thought to myself that perhaps it was the thought of seeing the red reeds and some much needed, relaxed time with the team that really propelled us to be so effective in the morning! Who’s to say? Readiness or Red Reeds? Perhaps it was both, but I can’t help but reflect that readiness and effectiveness have a significant connection. 

Leadership is Hard

Leadership is hard.

This is the central theme that emerged from our first Leadership Circle session last Friday morning. The phrase coined by one of the members resonated with the group. It is hard. That's why there are thousands of leadership books written every year! There is not any one magic way to be a good leader, as evidenced by the broad range of topics our first group generated. Their interests ranged from "use of self as a means of inspiration" to "the balance of confidence and humility" to modeling work-life balance. This is only a snippet of what we discussed -- we are headed for great dialogue this year!

During the group check-out, we found out this group does not want to wait. They were looking for ways to "get started now". Guess that's not surprising from a group of stellar leaders!

Luckily, we get to start with our second group this Friday when another group of leaders from diverse backgrounds and workplaces will begin their journey with each other. I have no doubt that the dialogue will be just as rich.  

The Leadership Circle is a unique offering from Floricane. It is a facilitated monthly dialogue that will occur on the same day and time each month with a small group of leaders -- no more than 8 per group -- who have committed to come together for nine months. It is designed to attract a diverse blend of leaders from corporate, non-profit and governmental entities. It is a confidential space in which to explore the issues, opportunities and ideas that are central to effectively leading an organization or department/division. 

We're expecting to start a few new waves of the Leadership Circle next year. Drop me a line if you want to learn more about it!

The Leadership Circle: The Trick to Group Coaching

Applications are due August 8th, 2014! Click the image for more details about The Leadership Circle.

Peer-based group coaching relies on everyone, the coach and the coached, to show up at each session prepared, and willing to work collectively to help each participant grow. The job, of a participant, is to come ready to play hard, support the success of the peers in the group, and leave the day-to-day tasks at the door. The job, of your coach, is to challenge each participant to focus on the right issues, and to bring the best questions and curiosity to each session. 

Group coaching participants need to be committed, others focused, optimistic and willing to learn. The concept of group coaching creates bonds between members that are unique for those participants. Typically, those bonds can last well beyond the formal end of the engagement.

The Leadership Circle is a new group coaching program for senior leaders in Richmond. The first session starts in September; applications are being accepted through August 8th, 2014.

The Leadership Circle: What Our Focus Groups Revealed

Before we got even close to thinking we knew everything that should be included to create an amazing leadership group coaching experience, we decided to ask the community what they wanted. Earlier this spring, Anne and I met with 15 leaders from all types of companies to pick their brains about what they wanted to see in a leadership group coaching experience.

We heard some pretty amazing things! 

We heard: I want to be a part of this, if it’s with peers outside of my normal circle. I know how to access people in my world, I want access to people I don’t know.

We heard: There is a distinct need for thinking about leadership differently: What does leadership mean relevant to where I am in my career? Or in my company? How do I lead through times of significant change and uncertainty? What is the reality of leading in today’s organizations? How do I lead a team of others through challenging times? How do I blend the multiple generations that work in my organization? (Lots of insightful questions, right?!)

We heard: There is a hunger to discuss culture change.

Many folks in our focus group realize they may not have the skills they need to lead their organization through such a change. They also discussed leaving their organizations healthy and ready for the future after they leave. What does succession/sustainability look like?

There were so many great nuggets that came from our discussions. It’s hard to include them all here. I am confident they will reappear and that our group will surface news ones, too! Can’t wait to get started this fall.

The Leadership Circle is a new group coaching program for senior leaders in Richmond. The first session starts in September; applications are being accepted through August 8th, 2014.

The Leadership Circle: 3 Reasons I'm Excited!

The Leadership Circle is an idea that has been brewing with the Floricane team for about a year now. I am so excited that we are finally launching it this fall! 

There are three things in particular that excite me about this program:

Applications are due August 8th, 2014.

1. I've experienced first-hand with my clients that having a safe place to discuss issues is highly valued by them. I am looking forward to creating that space for a group of participants! 
    
2. Creating a peer group to network, build relationships and connect is a real need. One of our goals at Floricane is to build community, so this fits right in. 
    
3. Last, from a selfish perspective, I am looking forward to the learning that I will gain from hanging with the really talented and smart people this group will attract!

The Leadership Circle is a new group coaching program for senior leaders in Richmond. The first session starts in September; applications are being accepted through August 8th, 2014.

The Leadership Circle: What is it?

This fall, Floricane will be launching a new program called the Leadership Circle. While we know there are a gazillion leadership programs in the marketplace, we think the Leadership Circle offers something unique. How is it unique? It's a confidential place for leaders to gather and discuss issues relevant to them. Topics will be generated by the participants in their first session.

The Leadership Circle will be a cohort group of leaders that come from all types of places such as: profit, non-profit, government and trade associations. Blending leaders from different situations was a specific request from the participants in our focus groups. They felt the varied backgrounds would enhance the discussion and enrich the path to solutions.

Floricane’s coaches, Anne and I, will be there to facilitate each monthly conversation. We will add our expertise as well as ask questions to keep the conversation on track.

Get more details about the Leadership Circle here!

Applications are due by August 8th, 2014.

Coaching Corner: Staying in My Lane

In coaching our clients recently, role clarity is something that continues to pop up. Whether it's a result of external demands, a co-worker’s departure, new strategic direction for the company, increased responsibility – the list goes on and on it seems the need for clarity doesn’t stop. I suppose its something that is here to stay given the nature of work coming out of the latest recession.

Yet, we as humans need to feel some structure and some security – Millennials, Gen X’ers and Boomers all share this desire. It may show up differently for each generation, but the under-lying, human fundamental is the same.

A recent quote by Brené Brown sums it up nicely:

“I swim for many reasons but none more important than the constant reminder to stay in my own lane.” 

As I work with clients, I help them reach clarity about their lanes – what lives within their lane and what doesn’t. And, more importantly, we work on how they can be the best swimmer within their lane. How to recognize when they go out of bounds and the price they pay for it – both personally and professionally. 

Having lane clarity gives clients the chance to breathe and lean into their role. It helps create a rhythm for their day and their life that makes the stresses seem less overwhelming and a bit more manageable.